Orderly conduct in the house

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the other churches.”
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT)

This past weekend, several members of our church, including my wife and I, attended the Church Ministries Convention for the Louisiana District of the Assemblies of God in Pineville, La.

There were many tracts of learning, from Sunday School to Media. I chose those surrounding church administration, as I have been more involved in that area of the church lately.

I attended three seminars by Shannon Jackson, Pastor of Helps Ministry and Church Assimilation at First Assembly of God in West Monroe, La.

She shared some really good information about church administration, recruiting volunteers and church marketing. However, it was a statement she made that had been playing over and over again in my head (and spirit). “God will not bless through chaos. He is a God of order.”

She was referring to a vision cast by her Pastor, the Rev. Shane Warren. Their church has seen explosive growth in the past decade and all the challenges that go along with that.

As the growth started to taper off, Warren imparted this vision — first to his staff, then to the congregation — going as far as to require his staff members to “clean their closets.” The thinking was that God could not fully accomplish what he wanted to do in their church if the leadership was in disorder in their homes.

Before I am accused of taking the above scripture out of context, I fully understand Paul was discussing the order of service in the church. However, I also know that God is the same and never changes. He would not be a God of order in the church and a God of chaos in the home.

I wonder how many blessings we have robbed from ourselves because we have not cleaned up the clutter in our own lives (both physically and spiritually?)

Now, what is your definition of order? It is probably different from mine. That what is cool about our God. He is a personal God. He deals with us on a personal level and reveals to us His personal will for our lives.

Much like we are stewards (managers) of what God gives us financially, we are also stewards of everything God gives us – house included. If we approach these things with the mindset that they belong to God in the first place, we are more apt to take care of them.

When God can trust you with a little, he’ll give you more.

So the answer is “yes.” I cleaned out my closet Monday night. I also began the process of cleaning and organizing my office at work, and require the same of my staff (The boss can do that, you know.)

It won’t happen overnight — and staying the course is the challenge. Studies show it takes approximately 21 days to form or break a habit. However, this change in focus is more than a habit, it is a lifetime commitment. God will help bring order from chaos, and then just watch what He will do, once we get the garbage out of the way.

May The Blog Be With You.